MovieChat Forums > Lifeguard (1976) Discussion > Good movie but ultimately depressing

Good movie but ultimately depressing

posted 17 years ago by dg-7
32 replies | jump to latest

This is a very good movie. As someone who drifted my own twenties, struggling to find my own identity, I found the scenes of Rick's inner strugger very moving and convincing. I also thought the movie did an excellent of showing how Rick was losing touch with his youth, and how life was slowly passing him by. He realizes this too.

My one complaint is that I think the film is ultimately very sad and depressing. This isn't a heppy story.

The problem is that by the end of the film we want Rick to take the job at the Porsche dealership so bad, we want him to "make something of himself" that when he finally rebels and retreats back to the beach, we feel very let down. We've invested so much in his character and his life that when he makes this decision, which really seems to be the wrong decision(and one of the haunting things about the film is that you get the sense that Rick will regret this decision for the rest of his life), we feel like we've wasted our time with him, that he's a lost cause.

The final scene in the film when Rick goes into the bathroom is supposed be humorous, to end the film on a happy note, but I found this depressing too. It just highlights the fact that Rick is too old to be hanging out on the beach.

Still, a very good film, very moving. It really got to me.

[–] WarpedRecord 17 years ago

Excellent analysis, dg-7! I suspect that anyone who saw Rick's decision to remain a lifeguard as uplifting may be in as much denial about the realities of life as Rick was. Watching this, I couldn't help but wonder how many years (or maybe months) Rick would have as the golden boy of the beach and when he would become a has-been who regretted passing up opportunities to build more of a life for himself.

On the other hand, I wonder if this movie would have been considered as depressing during the era it was made, the mid-1970s. Rick has a certain amount of idealism -- perhaps a bit of a hippie esthetic -- that was probably very much in tune with the times. Remember, this was made long before the upwardly mobile '80s, and Rick could possibly even afford to buy a small house in Southern California with his lifeguard's salary in 1976.

When viewed through 2007 eyes, this film is certainly depressing, but perhaps to 1976 audiences, Rick was a real inspiration that you could do what you love and still have it all.

Regardless, what I found most depressing about the film is the innocence about the laid-back beach life that seem so sadly retro these days. The spirit of '76 has died, and part of us with it.

[–] dg-7 17 years ago

Yes, the film reminded me of "Suburbia" in the sense that there's a sad nobility in Rick's refusal to join the rat race, to maintain his youth, even as the realities of life close in all around him. I really identified with that, and certainly Rick is very much aware of this, as evidenced by the scene at the high school reunion.

[–] dfc99 16 years ago

The ending is very 1970s "anti-corporate". Rick turns down the job with the Porsche dealer to go back to the beach. In that final humorous scene in the ladies room he seems quietly resigned to his job, not really happy about it.

Everyone has passed him by. The stewardess may be leaving Rick for some rich guy. His old girlfriend has a good job at that gallery (where Rick makes a fool of himself) and a nice house. His younger brother is about to start a promising career. His summer co-worker at the beach is going back to college. Even his teen lover is starting over at a new High School.

Still a great little forgotten movie, no longer available on DVD.

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

The "free spirit" ending of the film was certainly very typical of the '70s, and it would probably be out of place today. I like to think there are still relics like Rick who shun capitalism in search of a greater personal goal, but the economic realities of this era make such choices much harder.

It's too bad this is out of print on DVD, but I'll be holding on to mine forever -- just like I'll hold on to my anti-corporate ideals!

[–] Zando777 15 years ago

I don't think the "economic realities" of this era make the choice any harder. Food and other items are generally cheaper today than they were back then. (Houses are certainly cheaper in real terms right now.)

There may be more pressure to consume more, but that's a personal choice.

[–] LittleFrida 14 years ago

To me all that appeared totally different and much more positive. While all of Ricks friends where trapped in that material world he was the only one who still followed his own way of life. He wasn´t after money at all, he was all happy with his life on the beach with all its beauty.

In that scene in the gallerly to me Rick didn´t make a fool of hisself - he made a fool of the rude rich dude who was quite rude and disrespectful to his girlfriend. His girlfriend still wanted to abase herself - for the money. But Rick showed that he gives a sh** about the money and was courageous enough to tell the lippy guy in the gallery to shut up.

The ending was quite positive to me. Rick was staying true to his principles and still enjoyed life while all of his friends were just after their careers and gaining more money. He wouldn´t have fit in that role of a Porsche dealer at all. Well done he didn´t do it!

Not depressing at all - very encouraging and inspiring to keep being yourself instead of falling for money.

[–] karchad 13 years ago

Oh, i agree with you. As someone who worked in the 'corporate world' for 31 years, I see the movie not as depressing at all.

I see Sam Elliott remaining true to what really, really makes him happy. Sure other people have moved on, but to what? Did the people at the reunion seem happy? I think the director made it a point to show you that they weren't at all. In fact, Rick seemed to be the only non-uptight, calm, stress-free person there!

Sure, people are moving on in his life, but it doesn't seem to bother him at all. There's always new kids to teach.

The person who wrote on this board that "anybody who finds this movie uplifting is in denial", is just a person who cannot believe that someone else's viewpoint can be different from his/her own, and i suggest he/she examine his/her own closemindedness.

[–] jl-39962 7 years ago

I agree with most of your points, but Rick's behavior at the gallery was childish.

You respect your partner's work. You don't get into long relationship discussions that can wait for later at their work.

And you certainly don't insult their clients, who are about to make a major deal that will greatly benefit your partner.

This scene showed that Rick was very emotionally immature, whatever other positive qualities he might possess. He could certainly wait 5 minutes for his GF to speak with a client. If he wasn't completely self-absorbed.

[–] guybland-1 15 years ago

Wow....am I the only one who saw this movie as ultimately uplifting? Yes, Rick is a lifeguard, but as he points out numerous times in the film, being a lifeguard isn't as easy as people think. There is a tremendous responsibility attached and a great deal of training. Rick may fib about his real occupation to someone at his high school reunion, but that is understandable given the assumptions people make about his real occupation. He is happy; he's doing exactly what he wants to do. He feels that his job has purpose--how many of us, including Porche salesmen, can truly say that? By film's end, Rick has made the only decision he can make: remain a lifeguard for as long as he can. Anything else would only make him miserable.

[–] WarpedRecord 15 years ago

That's a very good point. Truth be told, in addition to doing what he loves, Rick would be more likely to be employed these days as a lifeguard than as a Porsche salesman.

[–] lmakov 15 years ago

I have always loved this movie and can't wait to see it again. It's been quite a few years since I last saw it. I understand the depressing air the movie left many with. I also understand the positive aspect of Rick doing what he truly loved, rather than what everyone else wanted him to do. I've been in this situation my whole life. I've chosen to go my own way too. Unfortunately it hasn't paid off for me, yet...

[–] guybland-1 14 years ago

If you are happy and enjoy what you are doing, then it has already paid off for you.

[–] PenTheater 14 years ago

VERY UPLIFTING.
and inspired me to work where I want in life myself. So glad I saw it in high school.
as far as;

I like to think there are still relics like Rick who shun capitalism in search of a greater personal goal, but the economic realities of this era make such choices much harder.

got to say, not if you are smart, You can reject consumerism.

Rick was a real inspiration that you could do what you love and still have it all.

been there, doing that. I love this movie.

What's depressing is that so many people don't realize they could have "been lifeguards" you know what I mean.

[–] TumJerrie 14 years ago

"who regretted passing up opportunities to build more of a life for himself."

But, how do we each define building more of a life? To Rick, and to me, the idea of spending all day trying to sell Porsches would make for a lesser life, not a better one.

His bills were paid, he had some money put away, he had a home and a vehicle and a job he loved. What's depressing?

[–] Greatornot 13 years ago

With all due respect to the OP, I completely disagree. In fact I feel the opposite. Yes I get the symbolism that summer is over and the no nonsense of real life begins so to speak, with September and cooler weather and kids getting back to school and just getting down to the nitty gritty of a dog eat dog world and responsibilities. That said, Rick Carlson is a martyr.
He beats to his own drum. This is a much admired quality. Being lifeguard is a very noble profession. If some of us can get over the snobbiness and the supposed norms of our society, they can see that Rick Carlson is in fact a hero, a non conformist. Carlson will be happier doing his own thing rather than being what others, namely his parents, his old fling, his best friend want him to be. That my friends is the key to life, whether you agree with Rick Carlson or not.

[–] dhmason6155 12 years ago

Set Rick to one side for a minute. Being an L.A. beach lifeguard is a real, respected career. There are lifeguards who have been there for 20 plus years and are proud of it and don't want to do anything else. You can rise through the ranks into management positions with better pay, benefits etc. It requires intense training and a high level of physical fitness. They're responsible for thousands of lives every day, and they execute hundreds of rescues every year. They are the elite.

Also, the competition to become a lifeguard is intense. I tried out for it myself. We had to swim a 1000 yard race in the ocean. The first 10 made the first cut. There were approx 500 people competing.

You may walk on the beach, you may swim in the ocean... under SWAT team surveillance, of course.

[–] Zando777 15 years ago

I don't remember the bathroom ending, but I do remember being surprised he made that choice.

But I don't find it depressing. Life is short, and it should be lived the way one wants to live it.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] golden_hawk 14 years ago

I think it's a downer too, but it took me a while to understand why. I mean (me being an idealist at heart) I think ultimately he did stick with the lesser of two evils (insomuch as there was no way he could have made it as a Porsche dealer) ... trouble is it really seemed to me like his particular brand of idealism was largely resultant from acceptance, from coming to terms with where he stood in life, from accepting that he had come up short on his hopes and expectations. The film's eagerness in playing up the idealistic side of things at the end only brings another layer of conflict to the character - he seems happier, but is he? If the main reason for his despondency was an inability to fulfill societal expectations (which I really didn't think it was but then I'm probably just letting my own values get in the way) then his newfound "idealism" should be enough to get him through it: he's doing what he "wants" so to hell with what everyone else may think. If, on the other hand, he genuinely felt he wasn't where he was supposed to be in life at that point (which I think is what Elliott is trying to sell) then I can't but interpret his changing attitude at the end as an act of acceptance, acceptance that that's all he can do and that therefore he might as well do it with a smile... what really makes the film a downer for me though is that I never once believed that he truly felt he was cut for that job (and worse, he never allowed himself to realise that). The way he tries to oversell it to the Porsche dealer, for one (which many claim as the main evidence of his passion for the job), never once rang true to me... I think he was spitting out words he didn't believe in. Also the way he avoided talking about it at the party, or how he seemed to do it mostly to stay in close proximity (sometimes dangerously so) to his younger self? And besides come on... the man preferred the winters.

[–] ehendin 13 years ago

I found it uplifting but not in sense that we know what the future holds, just that he knows he has to stay with what is part of him and what he loves.

I don't think we really know what will happen to him, we just know that he's not teenager and also not a typical 30's adult. I thought the two relationships reflected these sides of the issue well.

This movie took me by surprise - I couldn't believe I watched the whole thing, and I think it's because the issues are beyond the 70's, there are about change and expectations and how for some people there are things inside of them that cannot be denied or suppressed. Rick is who he is, and it is hard for him to be anything else, and his love for what he does and the beach has a golden simplicity to it that most of us don't know how to reconcile.

[–] m_a_singer 13 years ago

It's interesting how much discussion this film, which is often considered to be a throw-away, inspires. I haven't seen it for a while, but by my memory a lot of the credit should go to the three leads, who really (I'm sorry) flesh out their sometimes underwritten parts. Sam Elliot in particular has to carry the movie, and he does it extremely well. I wish someone would do a serious interview with him as a working actor who has sometimes had to go with the choices at hand but has often made choices that were "right" rather than commercial (such as _Conagher_, which is a great film).

[–] LocoHero 12 years ago

The problem is that by the end of the film we want Rick to take the job at the Porsche dealership so bad

It was pretty obvious the Porsche job would've driven him crazy - I have no idea where you got the idea it was a desirable achievement. It would be totally against his character.

Life isn't always about high achievement and moving up the corporate ladder just so we can have a bigger house (and spend eternity paying it off) or afford better things.

As a lifeguard he pretty much had everything he wanted. Who wants to get old sitting behind a desk anyway? This is something we're becoming very aware of at the moment - desk jobs are bad for you.

[–] dhmason6155 12 years ago

Puts me in mind of the line in the Billy Joel song:

"If that's movin' up, then I'm movin' out!".

I once worked at a desk job in the corporate world because I thought that's what everyone expected of me. I was miserable and my health declined.

I don't regret quitting. I regret ever having made that choice in the first place!

You may walk on the beach, you may swim in the ocean... under SWAT team surveillance, of course.

[–] Nico_machus 11 years ago

I think he was living his 'dream' but it would have been short evidenced by the swimming competition on the beach and also that he could not maintain a meaningful relationship with a woman. I think the only reason he tried out for the job at the dealership was to impress that lady and not for financial security. For me the key scenes are the after sex scene with the air stewardess; him after the competition just spewing up sea water - losing his physical prowess and then the last scene where he accepts his role. I don't think he is really doing what he wants to do but it is the lesser of the two evils. If he was offered an adventure with more glamour and the perk of a long term relationship with a lady, he'd take it. Its just that this was the scope of his vision, that to me was the saddest part.

[–] Clemencedane 8 years ago

I was confused by the part where he was out of breath and coughing up water after the relay race. I thought the whole point was that he was a physical being, more youthful than his contemporaries, still in good shape, etc. He didn't struggle at all when he ran into the water to save people, so why did he seem out of shape during the race?

It made it ironic that he was making fun of the old guy who was always jogging - seems like he could have used some jogging himself. Maybe that's why we see him jogging with a friend towards the end. Not sure if that was the connection the director was implying or if it was coincidence.

[–] jl-39962 7 years ago

The point of the race scene is that he *is* getting older, and won't be able to be a lifeguard forever. (Maybe he's more motivated when actually saving lives?)

This makes his choice even more poignant. He knows his years as a guard are limited, but decides to stay with it as long as possible, despite that. Because of how much he enjoys it.

[–] jl-39962 7 years ago

I see no evidence he didn't love the lifeguard job, or would prefer something else.

[–] Lt_Zogg 9 years ago

Not depressing, but sobering. We sense Rick is doing what makes him happy, but we know that his choice will bring him struggle, hard work, and heartache, as all important choices do.

[–] Druff 8 years ago

The problem is that by the end of the film we want Rick to take the job at the Porsche dealership so bad, we want him to "make something of himself"

We did?

No, we didn't. We wanted Rick to do what made him happy in life. Taking the sales job would have been only about making others happy. He would have been miserable. He was happy with his job as a lifeguard. Period.

[–] lm362 7 years ago

I totally disagree. I felt Rick made the right decision to stay a lifeguard. It was something he loved to do deep down inside and decided to forget all the critical remarks and attitudes about his choice of a job. I found the end very happy because he decided to do what he has always wanted to do. Anyone makes something of him or herself when they do a job that makes them happy and fulfilled.

"Do All Things For God's Glory"-1 Corinthians 10:31
I try doing this with my posts

[–] mstanley-1 7 years ago

Totally agree. Doing what you love isn't an outdated concept from the 70's - it is universal. Lifeguards make pretty decent money and it IS a profession. Not everyone can be or wants to be a car salesman - I can't imagine anything worse, really. There are people who kill themselves chasing the golden ring, and others who do what they want. Rick made the decision that was right for him, and I applaud it.